Chapter 730: Exposed
“Sir Chen Rui,” Christina said lightly, “I’m entrusted with a few words that need to be relayed to you separately. I wonder if it is convenient?”
Before Chen Rui spoke, he felt that his arm was pinched hard, so he had to force himself to say, “If I say it is inconvenient?”
Christina was silent for a moment, “Then, I was presumptuous. Please forgive me for the interruption. I will leave now.”
“Wait a minute.” It was Isabella who spoke. When Christina bade farewell just now, she keenly sensed the fluctuations in the man’s mood, even if the fluctuations were quickly hidden. Madam Aunt was a smart woman who knew what to be unreasonable and when to be reasonable.
“It seems that there is something important. Chen Rui, just listen to it. Don’t let a lady come all the way in vain.” Madam Aunt smiled softly, “However, Ms. Christina… When asking someone next time, you should be polite and low-key. No man dares to be with an overbearing woman.”
Chen Rui was a little speechless. Madam Aunt was now speaking nonchalantly. The Lady Devil’s Snare was much more arrogant and proud than Christina now.
“Thank you for your suggestion.” Christina still had a calm expression and tone, clearly still ignoring her.
Madam Aunt sneered coldly, then she secretly pinched Chen Rui before coming to Delia. Without even looking at Christina, she turned around with her niece-in-law.
“Sir Chen Rui really has no shortage of women by his side, plus she is a very capable woman.” Christina said indifferently while staring at Isabella’s back. She seemed to have the upper hand just now, but she was unknowingly compet.i.tive in her mind. Objectively speaking, it was a tie, which Isabella also knew.
Chen Rui chuckled and Christina slowly walked forward, “I was only halfway through my shopping trip just now. Can I continue now? I’m usually very busy, and I don’t remember when was the last time I actually went shopping.”
“Oh.” Chen Rui didn’t know what Christina’s real intention was, so he had to use Zola’s moves to deal with her.
Next… it was really shopping; pure shopping.
“What is this? It’s beautiful.” Christina picked up an item from the stall.
“Auspicious knot, it is said that it can bring special luck.” Chen Rui didn’t give the vendor a chance to sell and explained directly, “In fact, it’s made of a special plant meridian, and it has no actual value… Uh, 15 white crystal coins. Fixed price, deal?”
The second half was for the vendor. He noticed that Christina really liked this exquisite thing. After some bargaining, she bought it with 18 white crystal coins. Christina watched Chen Rui bargaining with interest, then she happily accepted the gift.
After this interlude, the initially awkward atmosphere seemed to relax a lot. Chen Rui took Christina to taste the Dark Moon’s snacks, bought a few small gifts, and walked to the Red Fruit Hotel.
The Red Fruit Hotel was 1 of the largest hotels in the Dark Moon which was relatively high cla.s.s. Chen Rui followed Christina into the VIP Room No. 1. In fact, it was a suite with a living room and a bedroom, as well as ‘upscale facilities’ such as magic television. This made Chen Rui inexplicably think of the word “one night stand”, and his heartbeat suddenly raced.
“I haven’t been so relaxed in a long time. It feels good.” Christina motioned to him to sit down, “Thanks to you and your little gift.”
“Miss, you are welcome.”
Christina’s tone changed, “Then, let’s talk about the main thing.”
Chen Rui’s thoughts turned, and he answered, “En.”
Christina said calmly, “I want to know if anything can be changed as long as there are enough chips?”
This question enabled Chen Rui to slightly guess her intentions in his mind, “There is no absolute thing in the world, but it also depends on what kind of ‘change’ it is.”
“Then, you should understand what I mean. Can you give me a definite answer? Bargaining chips are not a problem.”
Chen Rui pondered for a moment and gave the answer, “There are some things that can’t be placed on the trading balance, so naturally they can’t be measured by chips.”
Christina went silent for a while, and she slowly took off her veil, “I only ask you once, can I be the reason to change you?”
Chen Rui was shocked when he saw the beautiful face that he hadn’t seen for a long time, “Miss, you…”
“I already come to you with sincerity.” Christina sighed, “You shouldn’t put up a pretense anymore. Maybe you can deceive the Demon Realm, but you can’t hide from a woman’s intuition. Not to mention that you didn’t do it flawlessly. That’s why I personally came to the Dark Moon this time.”
There was a thud in Chen Rui’s mind, and he was suddenly frantic. 2 words came to his mind: I’m exposed.
He had imagined many times that he would appear in front of Catherine 1 day and declare domineeringly in her surprised gaze, “You’re mine now”. Yet, in reality, it was the other way around. Her Majesty Empress came to him and asked domineeringly, “Are you willing to be mine?”
Catherine disguised and came personally presumably because she had already seen through Chen Rui’s ident.i.ty. Even if Aguile had not been exposed, at least the human and the trio-specialized mechanical master could be equated.
Chen Rui smiled bitterly, “Catherine, I…”
The Demon Realm’s top beauty, top sage and the most powerful empress watched him quietly with hope flowing from her peaceful and beautiful black eyes, “Can you give me the answer?”
It was not an order nor a request, but a hope. What a woman hoped from a man.
It was the first time that Chen Rui saw Catherine with this kind of expression. He almost blurted out ‘yes’ without thinking. After taking a deep breath, he finally calmed down.
“I’m surprised that you would propose such a bargaining chip. Yes, it is a bargaining chip.” Chen Rui stared into Catherine’s eyes with a scorching gaze. “Why did you make such a change? Or sacrifice?”
Catherine suddenly felt a little upset when she heard that her condition was cla.s.sified as a ‘bargaining chip’, but her tone was still very calm, “Why ask if you know the answer? Do you want me to give you some compliments? Okay. From defeating Obsidian in the Dark Moon, Shea’s quick ascension to the throne, then turned the threat of my empire into cooperation, to the terrifying speed of development and growth now. You should know how much effort you have exerted in all these. The newspapers, magic television, princess series, aromatic millet wine, concerts… These things are all planned by you. If this continues, within 10 years, the Fallen Angel Empire will become the most terrifying empire of the Demon Realm. The threat you pose is too great. “
“Is this the reason that let our Her Majesty Empress be willing to sacrifice herself?” Chen Rui suddenly felt indignant, and he did not hide his anger.
Seeing Chen Rui’s anger, Catherine somehow felt a lot more comfortable. She shook her head slightly, “Not only that, but also because… the stability of the empire requires a prince consort, and even a throne inheritor.”
“Really?” Chen Rui sneered, “Even marriage and body are for the empire? It’s really a respectable Her Majesty Empress.”
“From the moment I put on the crown, many things are destined. A ruler has not only the supreme power but also the biggest responsibility.” Catherine looked directly at Chen Rui, “At this point, you may not have a profound understanding, but your Empress Shea will definitely have a truly personal experience. I don’t know what is the relations.h.i.+p between her and Aguile, or what is the relations.h.i.+p between you and Aguile, but I can be sure that even her range of options of marriage partner is also very small. She chooses Aguile which should be the best choice in the range or that she has paid a considerable price for it. So, I came to the Dark Moon today, do you understand? “
Chen Rui asked, “I’m just a human, is it worth it?”
“Your value far exceeds the definition of race. Even if you don’t have mechanics skills, no black potions, or any special abilities, your talent is still number 1 in the world. With your help, I believe that the Dark Shadow Empire will produce a qualitative leap. For the benefit of the empire, I think it’s worth it, plus… I don’t hate you.”
Green veins appeared on Chen Rui’s forehead: Why won’t you throw away the so-called benefits of the empire and just say you like me in the last sentence?
Catherine seemed to see through his thoughts, “I don’t want to hide it. If it’s not for the empire, Catherine. Asmodeus will not come to you like this. If you agree, you can become my only prince consort; if you can incite defection in the Dark Moon Estate, then Athena will become the first general of the Dark Shadow Empire. I won’t even mind the existence of her or other women.”
If someone nearby heard Catherine’s words to him, he would be confused and think that his hearing system was down. The Demon Realm’s top beauty, top sage, Her Majesty Empress of the Dark Shadow Empire, would actually say such a condition to a human!
“What a tempting condition. I thought of a certain newsletter advertis.e.m.e.nt. As long as you pay dozens more, you can get a discount package.” Chen Rui smiled, “I admit that I really want you; I really want it. I know that you have a place for me in your heart, and it is useless to deny it because we have experienced the battle in the Crystal Valley together. I still remember that wonderful kiss now.”
Seeing Chen Rui reminiscing, Catherine’s calmness finally began to falter with the urge to punch him, but she also admitted in her mind that from the moment this man was willing to die for her, her mind was indelibly marked with his shadow. She once thought that he was about to die, so she confessed her feelings without concealing. How would she know that this b.a.s.t.a.r.d was a liar? He actually feigned death after cheating her to kiss him.
If your attachment is to protect everyone, then my current attachment is just to protect you.
This sentence appeared in her dream more than once. Aside from the empire, he was indeed the only man she had ever had emotions for.
Catherine tried her best to control her emotion and said coldly, “So, do you refuse? Do you think I will leave such a huge threat to the empire?”
TL: She will never kill Chen Rui with her own hands, right?